Edmonson and Gimenez re-open Olinda Park

Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson and Mayor Carlos Gimenez cut the ribbon on the newly refurbished Olinda Park earlier this month. Joined by staff from the Miami-Dade County Parks, residents and local children, Commissioner Edmonson hailed the re-opening as eagerly awaited and much welcomed. This project began as a response to a health issue by our Parks Dept., Commissioner Edmonson said. "But we took the opportunity to make some changes so that the residents of this area, particularly the children, could benefit from a "new" park where they could play and exercise. This has been a collaborative project and I thank all the County personnel who contributed to making Olinda Park a recreational gem." The park was closed for two years so that contaminated soil could removed and replaced with a geo-synthetic liner filled with two plus feet of clean fill. The park was also refurbished with a canopied playground, a fitness court, high-efficiency lighting, picnic tables and grills, new bleachers and play areas, among others, as well as making upgrades to the existing recreation center. Miami Times staff report